Did Porsche, Piech Punt VW CEO To Take Over Audi?

The surprise resignation of Volkswagen CEO Bernd Pischetsrieder may have been orchestrated by VW Chairman Ferdinand Piech (grandson of Ferdinand Porsche) and major VW shareholder, Porsche.

Analysts have long speculated that Piech was grooming Audi CEO Martin Winterkorn as Pischetsrieder's replacement, while Porsche's 20-percent holding in VW saw Porsche CEO Wendelin Wiedeking gain a seat on the VW supervisory board, alongside Porsche's CFO.

Tuesday's move has analysts speculating that Porsche may expand its influence over VW by increasing its stake enough to gain a third board seat, with some investment bankers going so far as to suggest that Porsche may attempt to buy VW outright, or to swap its stake in VW for control of Audi.



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iown1 - 11/9/2006 10:01:07 AM

+1 Boost

I believe this has been Piech's intention from the start and I myself have speculated that Porsche was more concerned with some one else getting hold of Audi than VW. VW never posed a threat to Porsche but an outside interest could ratchet things up at Audi forcing Porsche to become reactionary. It would be great if Porsche traded their stake in VW for control of Audi. It would allow Porsche to expand into different segments without diluting the Porsche trademark further.

iown1 - 11/9/2006 10:03:29 AM

+3 Boost

Oh yeah and it would immeadiately put an end to those stupid rebadged VW remarks.

Agent009 - 11/9/2006 10:15:08 AM

+2 Boost

Like the Cayenne?

iown1 - 11/9/2006 10:21:33 AM

+2 Boost

Bingo!

BMW_DRVR - 11/9/2006 1:34:15 PM

0 Boost

Yeah maybe if porshe takes over Audi they will finally start making some good cars.

S4cabriofox - 11/9/2006 10:30:22 PM

+2 Boost

Does it ever stop?

Don't you people ever give up and recognize that Audi makes great cars?

Why do you think I bought one? I could've bought a BMW. But I didn't.

BMW_DRVR - 11/10/2006 12:44:52 PM

0 Boost

jmr2480
Yes i own a M3. Thanks for asking.

MDalle
I am 20 yrs old. I didn't say that they make bad cars, but no they are not almost as good as BMW's.

Agent009 - 11/10/2006 12:49:36 PM

+2 Boost

Not to Knock you man but they both make great cars.

You learned alot from 16 to 20
from 20 to 30 you will learn a lot more
from 30-40 you will learn even more. As you put it all in perspective you gain a whole different veiwpoint as you get older.

Agent009 - 11/10/2006 4:15:07 PM

+2 Boost

LOL